Brittle Starfish (Ophiocoma spp.) | Reef-Safe Cleanup Crew Starfish
$16.99
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Livestock shipping: $59.99 per applicable shipment; no free-shipping threshold. Contiguous 48 states and DC only. Ships Monday–Wednesday by overnight service after preparation. Select fish require up to seven business days before dispatch. DOA claims and photos are due within 12 hours of delivery; replacement shipping is extra.
Shipping & Delivery
Delivery area: Contiguous 48 United States and Washington, DC only. No Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, other U.S. territories, APO/FPO/DPO, PO boxes, or international delivery. These restrictions also apply through Shopify Collective retailers.
Live animal shipping: $59.99. No free livestock-shipping threshold applies. Livestock travels separately from frozen foods and dry goods; separate shipping groups or fulfillment locations may have separate charges shown at checkout.
Shipping days: Monday–Wednesday via Priority Overnight or an equivalent overnight service, subject to livestock readiness and safe weather/carrier conditions. Overnight transit starts after dispatch, subject to livestock availability and safe shipping conditions.
DOA claims: Contact us immediately and submit clear photographs within 12 hours of carrier-confirmed delivery. Original shipping is nonrefundable; approved replacements require payment of applicable shipping, packaging, and handling. See the Shipping & Live Arrival Policy for documentation, exclusions, and claim review.
Review the Shipping & Live Arrival Policy and final charges at checkout. Livestock delivery is limited to the contiguous 48 states and Washington, DC.
Brittle Starfish (Ophiocoma spp.)
The Brittle Starfish (Ophiocoma spp.) is one of the hardest-working members of a saltwater aquarium cleanup crew. Using its long, flexible arms, this nocturnal scavenger reaches deep into rockwork and crevices to consume leftover food, detritus, and decaying organic matter before it can affect water quality.
Despite its delicate appearance, the Brittle Starfish is a hardy and beneficial addition to established reef aquariums. Most of the day is spent hidden among live rock, emerging after lights out to forage throughout the aquarium.
Its unique ability to regenerate lost arms makes this fascinating echinoderm one of the most resilient invertebrates available to reef hobbyists.
Features
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Excellent detritus and leftover food scavenger
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Helps maintain a cleaner reef aquarium
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Peaceful and reef safe
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Reaches tight spaces within live rock
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Active primarily at night
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Can regenerate lost arms
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Great addition to established cleanup crews
Care Information
Scientific Name: Ophiocoma spp.
Common Name: Brittle Starfish
Temperament: Peaceful
Reef Safe: Yes
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
Diet: Carnivore / Scavenger (Detritus, Uneaten Meaty Foods, Fish Waste)
Minimum Aquarium Size: 10 Gallons
Water Parameters
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Temperature: 72–78°F
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Salinity: 1.023–1.026
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pH: 8.1–8.4
Compatibility
Brittle Starfish are peaceful scavengers that are compatible with most reef-safe fish, corals, shrimp, snails, crabs, and other invertebrates. They spend much of the day hidden within rockwork before emerging at night to search for leftover food.
Avoid housing with large Triggerfish, Puffers, Harlequin Tusk Wrasses, or other predators that may attack echinoderms.
Note: This listing is for peaceful Brittle Starfish species. It does not include the Green Brittle Star (Ophiarachna incrassata), which can become predatory toward small fish as it matures.
Why Shop with Infinity and Beyond Aquatics?
At Infinity and Beyond Aquatics, we know purchasing live animals online requires confidence. Every order is carefully prepared to help ensure your new livestock arrives healthy and ready to thrive.
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Carefully inspected before shipment
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Professionally packed in insulated cooler boxes
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Heat or cold packs included when weather requires
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Overnight shipping to minimize transit stress
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Responsive customer service before and after your purchase
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Passionate hobbyists dedicated to helping you succeed
Whether you're building your first reef or maintaining a mature ecosystem, we're committed to delivering healthy livestock backed by exceptional customer service.